Celeb Savant

Lotte Petri - a Danish bestselling crime author - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Lotte explains what inspired her to start writing crime novels, why she loves writing in the genre of crime, what type of research she conducts for her books and what she finds interesting about adapting the books into film manuscripts. Website - www.lottepetri.dk/english/ Instagram - @lotte.petri Facebook - @lotte.petri

Katharina Benjamim - a Brazilian-born, Monaco- based filmmaker, producer, and director - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Katharina explains how she started her career in costume and set design, explains the importance of continuity in productions, what inspires the projects she creates, and the difference between creating a documentary and a film. IMDB - Katharina Benjamim Instagram - @kat.benjamim LinkedIn - @katharinabenjamim

Jimmy Nevis - a South African award-winning singer, producer and songwriter - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Jimmy takes us through his over a decade of success, which includes how he chose his stage name, and what shocked him when he started professionally in the industry. We also dive into the intricacies of the behind-the-scenes of the industry. website - www.jimmynevisepk.com Instagram - @jimmynevis Facebook - @JimmyNevis Twitter - @jimmynevis TikTok - @heyjimmynevis YouTube - @jimmynevis

Daniel Baron - a South African award-winning, platinum selling singer, songwriter, and producer - joins us live in studio on this episode of Celeb Savant. Daniel takes us through his chart-topping career, which includes how he intentionally tries to step out of comfort zones, how he picks up talent in other artists, what he loves about producing other artists, and how he creates for himself compared to other artists. He also gives advice to upcoming artists. This episode of Celeb Savant was recorded live in the studio at Solid Gold Podcasts in Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. Website - www.danielbaron.co.za Instagram - @danielbaronsa Facebook - @danielbaronofficial Twitter - @danielbaronsa TikTok - @danielbaron YouTube - @danielbaron01

Keith D. Robinson - an American actor, singer, and dancer - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. The triple threat takes us through his journey, which includes his path in the music industry, how acting came calling later in life, about working on a Soap Opera - Beyond The Gates - and his latest music project, Love Episodic ll. Website - www.keithsings.com Instagram - @keithsings Facebook - @keithrobinsonsings Twitter - @keithsings TikTok - @keith.drobinson YouTube - @KeithRobinsonsings

Massive Wagons - Baz Mills from the UK rock band joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Baz explains how the band got together, how they started out being a covers band, why they started creating original music, and what he loves about performing and creating music… 17 years into his career. Website - www.massivewagons.com Instagram - @massivewagons Facebook - @massivewagons Twitter - @massivewagons TikTok - @massivewagonsofficial YouTube - @massivewagons

Somyo - an American-born, Lisbon-based electronic dance singer, producer, and DJ - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Somyo explains how he started his career as an actor in Los Angeles and how getting music projects allowed him to realise his passion for creating in the space, and why he changed his stage name from Barrett Crake to Somyo. We also bond over our love of Kylie Minogue. Instagram - @somyomusic Facebook - @somyomusic TikTok - @somyomusic Youtube - @somyomusic

Freeman Gumede - a South African singer, songwriter, and bassist - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Freeman explains how he started out playing bass and singing in a choir, but due to self-confidence issues, it took him a while to start his solo career. We also hear more about his debut EP, Kuhlangene. Instagram - @freemangumede Facebook - @freemangumede01 TikTok - @freemangumede YouTube - @freemangumede

LamBros - an Australian duo, singers, songwriters, and brothers Connor and Harry Lambrou - join us on this episode of Celeb Savant. The brothers take us through their journey, which includes what they learned from starting off busking as teenagers. They explain how they create their live palette of sound, and why there is friction between them during the creative process. Instagram - @lambrosmusic Facebook - @lambrosofficial TikTok - @lambrosmusic YouTube - @lambrosmusic

Kwelagobe Sekele - head of A&R Publishing, music supervisor, and curator for Gallo Music/The Music Arena - joins us live in studio for this episode of Celeb Savant. Kwelagobe takes us through his entertainment journey and what his role at Gallo entails. It is the 100th anniversary of Gallo Music Africa, and Kwelagobe unpacks the impact and how the label will be honoring the milestone. This episode of Celeb Savant was recorded live in studio at Solid Gold Podcasts, Johannesburg, South Africa. Website - www.gallo.africa Instagram - @GalloMusic Facebook - @GalloMusicSA Twitter - @GalloMusicSA TikTok - @GalloMusicSA YouTube - @GalloMusicSA

Con The Artist, a South African-born, Canadian-based singer, songwriter, and producer, joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Con takes us through his entertainment journey, how he started out in the band, and the reason behind following a path as a solo artist, the difference between creating songs for himself compared to creating for others, what he loves about film composition, and how he is working on his 'decision paralysis'. Website - www.contheartist.com Instagram - @contheartist Facebook - @itscontheartist TikTok - @itscontheartist YouTube - @contheartist

Joey Rasdien - a South African award-winning comedian and actor - joins us live in studio on this episode of Celeb Savant. Joey takes us through his multi-decade journey of being a comedian… we discuss his acting in front of the camera, and deep topics such as the art of introspection in comedy, cancel culture, street light effect, attribution error, and pluralistic ignorance. This episode of Celeb Savant was recorded live in studio at Solid Gold Podcasts in Johannesburg, South Africa. Website - www.joeyrasdien.co.za Instagram - @Yusuf Twitter - @joeyrasdien TikTok - @joeyrasdien YouTube - @joeyrasdien

Sean Smith - a British singer, songwriter, and theatre performer - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Sean details his multi-faceted career, which includes his experience of coming 3rd on X Factor season 4 as part of the duo, Same Difference, with his sister Sarah, performing in theatre productions such as We Will Rock You, and about his new EP - Stay Human. Instagram - @seansmithsolo Facebook - @seansmithsolo Twitter - @seansmithsolo YouTube - @seansmithsolo

James Johnston - an Australian rising country singer and songwriter - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. James explains how he decided to start releasing his original music after performing covers for 10 years, that songwriting is a muscle that needs practice, and how performing in Cape Town, South Africa, was one of the top highlights of his career. Website - www.jamesjohnston.com Instagram - @jamesjohnstonmusic Facebook - @jamesjohnstonmusic TikTok - @jamesjohnstonmusic YouTube - @jamesjohnstonmusic

Billy Raffoul - a Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer - joins us for the second time on the Celeb Savant podcast. Billy catches us up on what has happened since we last spoke, which includes releasing two albums one month apart in 2025, and more about his latest collaborations. We also discuss comfort zones in the creative process, and his upcoming tour of South Africa. Website - www.billyraffoul.com Instagram - @billyraffoul Facebook - @billyraffoul Twitter - @billyraffoul TikTok - @billyraffoul YouTube - @BillyRaffoul_Official

Tynisha Keli - an American singer and songwriter - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Tynisha tells us how Scott Ross from Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch became her guardian at 13 and taught her how to be hyper-focused as an artist, and how her previous management screwed her over and the only legal way to get out of the contract was to step away from the industry. She also talks about her journey back to the spotlight with her third album... The Chronicles of TK: The Phoenix. Instagram - @thetynishakeli Facebook - @thetynishakeli TikTok - @thetynishakeli

Donia Youssef - a British multi-award-winning author, film producer, writer, entrepreneur, and acting agent - joins us on this episode. Donia takes us through her journey, which includes how she built up a successful talent agency, and how being diagnosed with cancer allowed her to turn trauma into power... which resulted in her success as an author, producer, scriptwriter and creating a new successful talent agency. Instagram - @the.monster.series Facebook - @donia.youssef78

Nianell - a Namibian-born, South-African-based SAMA award-winning singer, songwriter, author, mentor, and spiritual influencer joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Nianell takes us through her award-winning career, which includes why she chose her stage name, why her ignorance of the music industry when she started out was her saving grace, we discussed NLP and the training programme she created - EMIT change. Website - www.nianell.com Instagram - @nianellemitchange Facebook - @nianellemitchange TikTok - @nianellemitchange YouTube - @nianellemitchange

JJ McCann - the new guitarist from ARIA Award-nominated indie power pop and rock band, Moler - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. JJ takes us through his journey in the music space, how he met and joined the band, which returns after a long hiatus, what he enjoys about performing live and about their latest album - 69 Instagram - @MolerOfficialPage Facebook - @MolerOfficialPage YouTube - @molerofficialpage

Karyn White, an American Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, and queen of New Jack Swing, joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Karyn takes us on her multi-decade journey in the music industry, as we discuss how important it is to have discipline at the beginning of a music career, about her new music, and the strategy thereof… and we unpack the current music industry landscape. Website - www.karynwhite.me Instagram - @karynwhiteofficial Facebook - @KarynWhiteMusic YouTube - @karynwhiteofficial

Ayrton - a South African singer and songwriter - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. We hear Ayrton's recent musical journey, which includes his surprise of how important social media is as part of the music industry, the challenge of social media, and how he got signed to David Gresham Records. Instagram - @realayrtonmusic Facebook - @realayrtonmusicc TikTok - @realayrtonmusic YouTube - @realayrtonmusic

AC Scott - a Scottish chart-topping broadcaster, Sony Award-winning radio host, bestselling novelist, singer, and songwriter - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. AC takes us through her entertainment journey, which includes her time as a radio host, how a health issue 10 years ago stopped her broadcasting career, which led to her writing bestselling novels, and more about her debut album - Out Of The Blue. Website - www.acscott.co.uk Instagram - @acscottsings Facebook - @AlisonsDiary TikTok - @acscottsings YouTube - @AlisonCraigScott

Bruno Tilley - a British creative director, designer, writer and music video director - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Bruno takes us through his fascinating journey in the entertainment industry, which includes starting out designing album covers for artists at Island Records, how he got into directing and producing music videos, with his first director credit being Bob Marley's Buffalo Soldier. He also reveals his current projects, which include design work and turning one of his screenplays into a novel. Website - www.brunotilley.com Instagram - @brunotilley Facebook - @bruno.tilley LinkedIn - @bruno-tilley-5802366

Rayne - a South African singer and songwriter who signed with David Gresham Records in 2025 - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Rayne explains that he always wanted to go professional and went for it when he felt confident with his songs, how he is working on the challenge of being overly self-critical, and he explains what recession pop is. Website - www.raynemusic.co.za Instagram - @rayne.music Facebook - @raynemusic.co.za TikTok - @rayne.music YouTube - @rayne6851

Andrew Meyer - American movie producer, developer, executive, and author - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Andrew takes us through his multi-decade career as we dive into each of his jobs, namely producing stadium concerts, record producer, executive producer for films (that have been nominated for Oscars, Golden Globes and BAFTAS like The Breakfast Club, Fried Green Tomatoes etc), and about his book, Walking in the Fast Lane: Stories of a Lifetime. Website - www.andrewmeyerentertainment.com Instagram - @andrewmeyerentertainment Facebook - @andy.b.meyer

Alessia Labate - an Italian dance singer, songwriter, and rising star - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Alessia explains how she grew up in a musical family, why she says that it is important to detach one's self from their art, and why she says that the dance music world is more open and welcoming than the pop music world. Instagram - @alessialabate_ Facebook - @alessialabateofficial Twitter - @alessialabate_ TikTok - @alessialabate__ YouTube - @AlessiaLabate

Apple Gule - a South African singer and songwriter - joins us live in studio on this episode of Celeb Savant. Apple tells us the story behind his stage name, how he started out singing the national anthem at sports events, and how he has remained positive through the challenging times of his career. This episode was recorded live in studio at Solid Gold Podcasts, Johannesburg, South Africa. Instagram - @applegule Facebook - @applegule Twitter - @applegule TikTok - @appleguleofficial YouTube - @Itsgulehome

Shannon Esra, a South African Award-winning and SAFTA-nominated actress, joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. As we share the stage and screen, Shannon tells us about how she hates waiting when it comes to being on set, and what seasoned actors taught her when she first started. We also discuss her show-hopping character Sandra Stein, and the character's latest iteration on Law, Love & Betrayal S2. Instagram - @shannonesra_official Facebook - @Shannon.Esra Twitter - @ShannonEsra

Dennis Matkosky - an American producer and songwriter with over 70 million record sales - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. We hear about his multi-decade and multi-award-nominated career, which includes writing the smash hit song 'Maniac' for the movie Flashdance, producing and writing for Sarah Brightman, Chicago, LeAnn Rimes, Smokey Robinson and many more… and we find out what it means to produce for an artist. Instagram - @dennis_matkosky Facebook - @dmatkosky

Jon Secada, a Cuban-born and American-based singer and songwriter, joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Jon takes us through his Grammy Award-winning career, which includes what motivates him to keep creating music and performing live after being in the industry for over three decades, the challenges in the current music industry landscape, and more about his latest project, Fascination - a tribute to Nat King Cole with Gonzalo Rubalcaba. Website - www.jonsecada.com Instagram - @jonsecada Facebook - @jonsecada Twitter - @jonsecada YouTube - @JONSECADAYOUTUBE

Dina Renée - an American singer, songwriter, actress, and model - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Dina explains how she left for Los Angeles at the age of 18 to pursue her music career, we hear why she calls her latest releases 'empowerment pop'… and the importance of going for voice lessons. Website - www.dinareneemusic.com Instagram - @dinarenee Facebook - @dinarenee Twitter - @dinarenee TikTok - @dinarenee1 YouTube - @dinarenee

Alex Davies - a British musician, TV composer, songwriter, producer, and front man of Elliot Minor - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Alex takes us through his multidisciplinary career, which includes the journey of the band, what surprised him about being a professional artist, and his writing of music for television and songs for other artists. Website - www.alexdaviesmusic.com Instagram - @alexdaviesmusic Facebook - @alex.davies.146 Twitter - @alexdaviesmusic TikTok - @alexdaviesmusic

Maryze - a Canadian and French singer and songwriter - joins us from Los Angeles on this episode of Celeb Savant. Maryze tells us about her story, which includes how she got over the challenge of doors closing at the beginning of her career, her experience being a queer artist in the industry, and how she has found a balance for her perfectionism. Website - www.maryzemusic.com Instagram - @maryzemusic Facebook - @MaryzeMusic Twitter - @MaryzeMusic TikTok - @MaryzeMusic YouTube - @MaryzeMusic

Razeen Dada - a South African actor and producer - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Razeen tells us how he started out in the entertainment industry as a model, how taking up acting classes put him on the path to acting, and about his latest project - The Cane Cutter. Instagram - @razeendada Facebook - @RazeenDadaActor TikTok - @razeendada YouTube - @razeendada1605

Ben Provest - an Australian singer, songwriter, producer, and musician - joins us from the USA on this episode of Celeb Savant. Ben explains what surprised him about becoming a professional artist, the difference between creating music for himself compared to creating for others, and what he loves about performing live. Website - www.benprovestmusic.com Instagram - @ben_provest Facebook - @BenProvestMusic TikTok - @benprovest YouTube - @BenjaminProvest

Sketchy Bongo - a South African DJ, songwriter and producer - joins us from Dubai on this episode of Celeb Savant. We dive into Sketchy's creative mind, which includes how he came up with his stage name, the story behind why he wore the ski mask, which is part of his brand. We also get into his creative process, and the current music industry landscape. Instagram - @sketchybongo_official TikTok - @sketchybongo_official YouTube - @sketchybongo

Thereza Bazar, a Canadian-born and Australian-based singer and songwriter, joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Thereza tells us about her multi-decade career in the music industry, which includes the success of being part of the '80s duo Dollar. Find out what motivated her to start creating music and performing again, and we discuss the relevance of the music charts. Facebook - @TherezaBazarOfficial

Justė, a Lithuanian-born, Denmark-based electronic music DJ and producer, joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Justė explains how it was her dream to become a DJ and producer since she was a child. We hear how her determination and focus took her out of survival mode and into following her dream to become an artist, about her creative process and more. Instagram - @djjuste_ YouTube - @djjuste

What So Not - an Australian DJ and producer - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. What So Not explains the meaning behind his stage name, and how seeing Justice at a music festival motivated him to follow his current path. We also discuss his creative process, and what's coming next. Website - www.whatsonot.com Instagram - @whatsonot Facebook - @whatsonot Twitter - @whatsonot TikTok - @whatsonot YouTube - @whatsonot

Andre Lotter - a South African stage, screen, and Royalty Soapy Award winner - joins us live in studio on this episode of Celeb Savant. Andre explains how partaking in theatre productions at school motivated him to pursue acting as a career. He discusses the concept of research when it comes to acting, we unpack performing on stage, in front of the camera, and dive into the world of soap operas. This episode of Celeb Savant was recorded live in studio at Solid Gold Podcasts in Johannesburg, South Africa. Instagram -@andrelotter Facebook -@andrelotter Twitter - @andrelotter TikTok - @andrelotter

JP Cooper - a British multi-platinum-selling singer and songwriter - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. JP tells us that it was a long, slow process until he became a professional artist, signing his first record deal at the age of 30. We hear about his creative process, how he has grown in his confidence to be comfortable to write songs by himself, and why it is freeing to write for other artists. Website - www.jpcoopermusic.com Instagram - @jpcoopermusic Facebook - @jpcoopermusic TikTok - @jpcoopermusic YouTube - @jpcoopermusic

Chellcy Reitsma - a Dutch-American, Malta-based singer, songwriter, visual artist, and poet - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Chellcy explains that she was a professional dancer who ended up in a wheelchair due to ankle injuries, how she started singing and writing songs, her creative process, and why she says, “I don't want to do a genre, I want to do me." Website - www.chellcyreitsma.com Instagram - @chellcyreitsma_official Facebook - @chellcy.reitsmaartist YouTube - @ChellcyReitsma

Phil Cunningham - a Zimbabwean-born, South African-based producer and director - joins us for this episode of Celeb Savant. Phil takes us through his journey in creating movies, unpacks the world of animation filmmaking, and tells us why it took 37 years to create the movie 'David'... from ideation to release. Website - www.sunriseproductions.tv Instagram - @sunriseanimationstudios Facebook - @sunrisehq TikTok - @sunriseanimationstudios YouTube - @SunriseAnimationStudios

Jethro 'Alonestar' Sheeran - a British musician, record producer, and rapper - joins us for a third time on Celeb Savant. We catch up with Jethro since we last spoke, and he tells us about his recent health challenges, about how and why he has refocused his routine and energy in order to slow down, and more about his latest, as yet to be titled album. Instagram - @alonestarsheeran Facebook - @jethrostar Twitter - @ALONESTAR1 TikTok - @alonestarsheeran YouTube - @AlonestarMusic

Keanan Eksteen - a South African singer and songwriter - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Keanan explains the journey of being a bedroom artist… to how he met his manager and became professional, what he has learned from taking up vocal training, and his creative process. We also discuss the current music industry landscape. Website - www.keananeksteenlive.com Instagram - @keananeksteenlive Facebook - @keananeksteenlive TikTok - @keananeksteenlive YouTube - @keananeksteen7158

DJ Zan-D - a South African music producer, radio presenter, and club DJ - joins us live in studio on this episode of Celeb Savant. He takes us across the airwaves as he tells us about his multi-decade career in the media space… how he started DJing at events as a teenager, his experience of living in London for 6 years, then returning to South Africa and creating a successful career in the media and DJ performance world. This episode of Celeb Savant was recorded live in studio at Solid Gold Podcasts, Johannesburg, South Africa. Instagram - @djzand Facebook - @djzand Twitter - @DjZanD TikTok - @djzand YouTube - @DjZanD

James Artissen - an American Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, record producer, and audio engineer - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. James explains how as a teenager he had the opportunity to be mentored by artists such as Whodini and DJ Jazzy Jeff, his process of producing and writing songs for other artists (including Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and Wiz Khalifa) and about creating and releasing his own solo projects. Website - www.jamesartissen.com Instagram - @jamesartissen Facebook - @jamesartissenmusic Twitter - @jamesartissen TikTok - @jamesartissen YouTube - @JamesArtissen

Dwson - a South African DJ, producer, artist, and remixer - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. Known as the beat architect of SA's deep house scene, Dwson tells us how he chose his stage name, and how he progressed from being a mobile DJ to a two x DMASA-winning and SAMA-nominated producer and artist… he also explains the movement he started - Dope Room. Instagram - @dwsonofficial Facebook - @dwsonofficial Twitter - @dwsonofficial TikTok - @dwsonofficial YouTube - @dwsonofficial

Shekhinah - a South African singer, songwriter, and multi SAMA award-winning artist - joins us live in studio for this episode of Celeb Savant. Shekhinah explains what it means to live the life of a pop star, her experience on Idols SA, why she takes her time when it comes to creating music, and what's coming up next. This episode of Celeb Savant was recorded live in studio at Solid Gold Podcasts in Johannesburg, South Africa. Website - www.shekhinahd.com Instagram - @shekhinahd Facebook - @shekhinahd Twitter - @shekhinahd TikTok - @shekhinahd YouTube - @shekhinah1229

Keithian - an American singer, songwriter, and producer - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. We dive into Keithian's world, which includes how he creates music, the difference between releasing an EP and an album, what he enjoys about performing live, and about his latest album - Human I Sinner. Website - www.keithian.music/overview Instagram - @iKeithian Facebook - @iKeithian TikTok - @iKeithian YouTube - @iKeithian

Riva Taylor - a British singer, songwriter, and actress - joins us on this episode of Celeb Savant. We hear how she got her first record deal at the age of 12 under the name Becky Taylor, and why she reinvented herself as Riva. Plus, her time as a child and teenager in the very adult business of the music industry, taking a break to go to university, and her return to creating music. Website - www.rivataylor.com Instagram - @rivataylor Facebook - @rivataylorofficial Twitter - @IAmRivaTaylor TikTok - @iamrivataylor YouTube - @therivataylor